But we can assure the Liverpudlian singer he need not worry – as the row has catapulted him to the top of the public vote both weeks so far.

In week one, Chris bagged more than double the votes of his nearest rivals Jahmene Douglas, 21, and Ella Henderson, 16, while last week he bagged a quarter of the vote, 10% more than Jahmene in second place.

The news will put a smile back on Chris’s face after Louis’ outburst on The Xtra Factor rocked his confidence. He told how he confronted Louis backstage as the dispute blew up.

Wildcard Chris said: “I was backstage with the other contestants and the crew when Louis was asked who was a diva on the show and he named me. All our mouths just dropped.

“We were all in total shook.

“I went up to Louis in the corridor after and asked him why he called me a diva.

“He just said he was put on the spot with the question and the first person that popped into his head was me.”

He added: “I don’t know why Tulisa and Nicole backed him up. I’m anything but a diva – you can ask all the contestants, the crew, Gary Barlow.

“I just feel it was a little bit below the belt as it has damaged my credibility on the show.

“But I have realised it is a competition at the end of the day and the other judges want their acts to win and me and Gary to fail.

“I was upset but now I realise people will use below-the-belt tactics. I don’t know what Louis’ motives were.

“I’ve just had to understand that people will make other acts look bad to make their own acts look good.

“But I don’t hold any bad feelings against him.”

Former cruise ship singer Chris has been plagued with rumours he’s been faking nerves to win the sympathy vote.

The 34-year-old has been slammed for misleading viewers. And insiders on the show have also claimed he has been acting a diva off camera.

Chris, who last night performed Alone by Heart, hit back, saying: “It’s hurtful what people are saying and my nan is really upset about it.